Tag Archive - back story

Hold Back the Back Story

Because I read hundreds of first chapters of novels a year as a writing coach, contest judge, and copyeditor, I’ve been compiling my list of essentials for a first scene.

When you think of all you have to accomplish in the first few pages of a novel, you really understand how writing a great first scene requires numerous hours of study, practice, and concentration. It takes examining successful, long-lasting novels to see how that first scene was constructed.

Have you ever read a first chapter that took your breath away? Made you cry? Shocked you? If you can accomplish an emotional reaction in your reader that quickly—hopefully by a quick attachment to your protagonist—half your battle is won. Continue Reading…